Leeds City Council has announced that the six annual bonfire and firework events that usually take place will not be going ahead this year.
The authority say the decision is due to "significant budget pressures" and the current impact of the cost of living crisis on local residents which is impacting the council demand for services and support. The council is also facing an increase in the cost of electricity gas and fuel.
The costs associated with restarting the bonfires this year would be in excess of £200,000 and the decision to cancel the displays has been taken due to the council highlighting any non-essential spending. Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles, said: "It is obviously very disappointing for residents that bonfire and firework events cannot restart this year, however the council must work hard on cutting all non-essential spend in the current financial climate.
Read More: 1,000 new jobs in West Yorkshire after mayor secures multimillion-pound investment from India
"We certainly did not take this decision lightly, and we know that this news will come as a real disappointment to many people, and this disappointment is something that we share. The council continues to be committed to working with partners to ensure that significant community and cultural events will still be able to take place later this budget year and in the run up to Christmas.”
Read next:
- Leeds NHS worker sworn at by students in heated late night party row
- Rob Burrow documentary to air on BBC showing how he lives with motor neurone disease
- Leeds residents 'anxious and angry' at threat of new McDonald's along Otley run
- Leeds drug dealer and dad-of-four tried to hide heroin up his bum
- Leeds man stuck in limbo after years waiting for a kidney
